A rediscovered boat for all reasons

Once used by the trappers, traders and hunters of the New World, the Adirondack Guide Boat is just as relevant today, says Roger Nadin

- Roger Nadin

THere’s a boating truism that says, ‘if it looks right, it is right.’ Take a look at a lovely old J Class yacht, sleek canoes, delicate skiffs, elegant Norwegian færings and other boats with delightfully sweeping sheers and you’ll see what I mean.

These boats were built with a purpose by those skilled in the art of boatbuilding and they evolved over long lifespans into super-efficient and durable designs that remain with us today. Around the world many of these were introduced by European settlers who opened up America, Australia and New Zealand, but some of the most successful ones were adapted from the boats already used by the indigenous populations. After all, the local populations were always rather more experienced in the specific demands and their vessel designs had already had hundreds, even thousands of years to develop before the white man invaded. In many cases, the designs have changed little with only the method of build being influenced by modern materials.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roger Nadin was born in central England, as far from the sea as possible in the UK. Boating became part of his life when, aged 14, he built his first kayak and later a Mirror dinghy. Canoeing took Roger to the wild rivers of the Alps and the Frisian islands, and he has sailed the Baltic, the south coast of England and west coast of Scotland.

Lightweight load-bearer